Pick on the Total for Wednesday's Astros-Athletics game

The Oakland Athletics have not had a lot to cheer about this season with the worst record in Major League Baseball, but have gotten great performances from pitcher Cole Irvin in Oakland and will call upon him to silence the Houston Astros on Wednesday.

Houston Astros (-200, 7.5) vs Oakland Athletics

Irvin has been solid overall with a 3.08 ERA and fewer than two walks per nine innings allowed, but has been at his best in Oakland with opponents hitting .199 off of him with no home runs in 55.1 innings this season with a 1.63 ERA.

Opponents are hitting just .189 off of Irvin in his last seven starts, but that is still higher than the season long number of Cristian Javier, who gets the start for the Astros.

Javier has allowed opponents to hit just .182 this season and has a 12.4 strikeouts per nine innings rate with a 3.13 ERA with two runs or fewer allowed in 14 of his 18 pitching appearances this season.

The Athletics are the worst home offense in the league with 2.8 runs per game and a .203 batting average at home averaging entering into Tuesday's contest.

With the way both starting pitchers have been performing this season and the Athletics lack of offensive firepower, runs will be at a premium.

The Play: Astros vs Athletics Under 7.5

  
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